Every so often a new book breaks the mold and helps to highlight the intersection between seemingly divergent aspects of the national conversation. The Prince, the Priests & the Prophets is such a book. Originally inspired by the acquittal of George Zimmerman, this book examines the interplay between the American president, American religious institutions and American prophetic voices that have resulted in continued struggles with racial injustice. With the language of both social science and sermon, public theologian Kyle J. Boyer argues that "we need prophets," and that "the prophetic voice has been diluted for some time." As it did with Barack Obama, America has often mistakenly looked to the president for prophetic leadership, not realizing that the prince can never be the prophet. Though prophets have often arisen from the church, the American church itself is in need of prophetic challenge. Thought-provoking and inspiring, The Prince, the Priests & the Prophets challenges America to find its prophets, elevate their voices, and ultimately, listen to them.

The prophet Amos is known for fiery messages directed at the elites of the northern kingdom of Israel in ancient times. Can this prophet also speak to us in America today? This book looks at the message that Amos proclaimed and applies it to parallel situations in modern America. Issues such as the worship of wealth (greed), privilege, and elites living off the labor of others are more similar in these two times and places than one might initially assume. How can we respond as people of faith to the evils of our own time? Are we responsible to notice and take action? Is taking such action part of our faith? If we listen to the prophet Amos, the answer is a resounding “yes.” God cares about the weak, the oppressed, and the downtrodden, and looks to those with the means to help implement change. We are truly asked to take responsibility for the well-being of our neighbor. Christians would be especially challenged by this book and the message of the prophet Amos, because so much of that message was also proclaimed by Jesus, who based judgment on how one treated the least, rather than those who are great. With study and thought questions with each chapter, and an abundance of suggestions for practical action, this book is a great tool to use in a church-wide study combined with a call to action.

This volume, a revised version of a doctoral dissertation submitted to the University of Sheffield in 1990, places John the Baptist within his first-century Jewish context by exploring his public roles and activities as a baptizer and a prophet as they would have been understood within the sociohistorical context of Second Temple Judaism. After surveying the relevant traditions concerning John the Baptist (in particular, Josephus, canonical Gospels, and extracanonical sources), the volume turns to the use of ablutions and immersions in the Hebrew Bible, in Second Temple Jewish literature, and especially in the Qumran literature. In light of this context, several functions of John's baptism are proposed both in continuity with his context and in distinction from it. Then, Webb explores John's role as a prophet in two respects. First, after surveying the expectation of eschatological figures of judgment and restoration in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Jewish literature, John's own proclamation of a coming one is understood as describing Yahweh's coming to judge and restore, but through an unspecified human agent. Second, in light of the varieties of prophetic figures in the Second Temple period, John is best understood as a popular prophet who uses the symbolic event of the people's baptism in the Jordan River and their return home to symbolize not only their entrance into the true remnant Israel but also their entrance into the Promised Land. When this symbolic activity is placed alongside John's prophetic critique of Herod Antipas and of Herod's marriage, the social and political implications of this critique become evident. The symbolic activity and strong critique led to the Baptist's death under Herod Antipas.

The books of the Minor Prophets resound with fierce condemnations of injustice and stunning examples of Yahweh’s persistent mercy. Centuries-old prophecies come to pass, justice is served to corrupt leaders, and the oppressed are delivered. The book of Hosea presents an intimate allegory of God’s love. The books of Joel, Amos, and Zephaniah proclaim the judgment and blessing of the coming day of Yahweh. The book of Jonah shows God’s eagerness to forgive. The books of Obadiah, Micah, and Nahum vividly warn of Yahweh’s wrath on economic exploitation and the enemies of his people. The book of Habakkuk discusses why evil sometimes prospers. The books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi share prophecies of encouragement from when God’s people rebuilt the temple and reclaimed hope after decades in exile. These twelve books balance justice and mercy, inspiring us to live uprightly as we await the universal spiritual renewal and righting of wrongs Yahweh will bring one day. I will keep watching for Yahweh to break through . . . and I know my God will hear my cry. Micah 7:7

In Handbook of Catholic Dogmatics, Book V, Soteriology Part 2 the nineteenth-century German dogmatician Matthias Joseph Schee­ben turns to an in-depth study of Christ’s redemptive deed. He begins this work with an exploration of the prerequisites for the In­carnate Word’s redemptive efficacy—his personal/capital grace and resultant perfections of intellect and will. Scheeben then examines the various states or mysteries of Christ’s life as well as the efficacy proper to his redemptive deed, by which the God-man restores and superabundantly perfects the supernatural or­der ruined by the first human sin. In this connection, Scheeben also includes his Mariology in this volume precisely insofar as Mary is the mother of the Redeemer. Located here in his Dogmatics, the figure of Mary thus serves as the point of departure for his planned treatment of the grace of Christ in its ecclesial mediation.

Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.

Nearly ONE THIRD of the Bible concerns Prophecy. And MOST of that prophecy is for the last 42 months of this age. The book of Revelation is for "the Lord's day" - not a day of the week, but for the prophetic time in the prophets of the Old Testament known as "the day of the Lord." All nations on earth are families grown large and many of them moved, migrated, and settled in the lands where we find them today. Much recorded history down through the ages shows who the modern nations of the world are, where they came from, and who they were in the days of the Old Testament prophets. Much prophecy has a two fold fulfillment i.e. Jeremiah 30:1-9; Isaiah 11. The latter fulfillment is for the very end times - the last 42 months of this age - Luke 21:22 "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things that are written may be fulfilled." With these basic keys we can understand the Bible prophets as they speak to us for our day and beyond into the last 42 months of this age, leading up to the glorious, powerful, mighty return of Christ Jesus to this earth, and the establishing of the Kingdom of God on earth.Nearly ONE THIRD of the Bible concerns Prophecy. And MOST of that prophecy is for the last 42 months of this age. The book of Revelation is for the Lords day - not a day of the week, but for the prophetic time in the prophets of the Old Testament known as the day of the Lord. All nations on earth are families grown large and many of them moved, migrated, and settled in the lands where we find them today. Much recorded history down through the ages shows who the modern nations of the world are, where they came from, and who they were in the days of the Old Testament prophets. Much prophecy has a two fold fulfillment i.e. Jeremiah 30:1-9; Isaiah 11.

Do you have a question about God, Jesus, the Bible, or theology? Do you need help understanding a Bible verse or passage? Are there any spiritual issues in your life for which you need advice or counsel? Then this book is designed for YOU! With 100s of Questions and Answers, Robert Gobelet details simple and yet deeply profound explanations of the Bible that can help transform your life and lead you to a deeper relationship with Christ. God Bless you on your Spiritual Journey.

“I am thrilled to know that The Complete Book of Everyday Christianity is being relaunched. A well-worn first edition of this book sits next to my office desk and I consult it often. There is no better collection of everyday issues examined from a Christian perspective. A wide variety of topics are addressed with a cleverly balanced combination of academic and practical perspectives, informed by thoughtful biblical and theological reflection. This is a wonderfully useful tool. I am pleased that it will be available to resource a new generation of Christians who are eager to understand more about what it means to follow Christ in every aspect of life.” — Alistair Mackenzie, Senior Lecturer: School of Theology, Mission and Ministry, Laidlaw College, Christchurch, New Zealand. Also Director of Faith at Work (NZ)

For far too long we’ve neglected the urban mission field. Many churches have moved to the outskirts of the city for various reasons, and the urban landscape appears to be forgotten. Dr. René Rochester presents a vision for how communities can change this pattern and plant redemptive and sustainable urban ministries. Models, Mentors, and Messages takes a close look at the developmental stages of Jesus’ life, focusing on how family, his heavenly Father, the Jewish community, and neighboring nations were used to shape his holy destiny. Through the example of Jesus’ life, you will learn how to draw on your own formative years to show urban teens how to live out God’s call in their communities. The most authentic models are individuals who have wrestled through life’s challenges and learned to trust God in difficult situations, and so by empowering urban students today and showing them how to nurture one another in faith, you can help create sustainable ministries in which each generation will model for the next how to follow Jesus. The first of its kind, this book doesn’t try to force old models on the urban context, but rather teaches new ways to draw on Jesus’ teachings to help an urban, hip-hop generation live for Jesus and for one another.